The debate was four days away.
And for the first time since the competition began, Marcus felt something he hadn't expected.
Concern.
Not because of Lucien.
Not entirely.
Because of Aria Vale.
Marcus had noticed it during the last few days.
Small things.
Subtle things.
Lucien listened when Aria spoke.
That alone was unusual.
Lucien rarely accepted advice.
Even rarer, he almost never changed his plans because of someone else's opinion.
Yet after Aria's comments, the entire direction of Lucien's preparation had shifted.
Marcus wasn't the only one who noticed.
Students had started talking.
Quietly.
Carefully.
But they were talking.
"Have you noticed?"
"Lucien seems different around her."
"They've been spending more time together."
"Do you think they're—"
The conversation stopped when someone walked past.
Rumors were beginning to spread.
And rumors had a habit of becoming problems.
Later that afternoon, Aria was reviewing notes alone in the library.
The room was peaceful.
Exactly how she liked it.
Until someone sat across from her.
She looked up.
Marcus.
"Can I help you?" Aria asked calmly.
Marcus smiled.
"Straight to the point."
Aria returned to her notes.
"I prefer efficiency."
Marcus laughed softly.
"I can see why Lucien likes talking to you."
The words caused Aria to pause.
Only briefly.
Marcus noticed.
Interesting.
"You seem surprised."
Aria closed her notebook.
"Is there a reason you're here?"
Marcus rested his arms on the table.
"I was curious."
"About?"
"You."
The answer was immediate.
Aria's expression didn't change.
Marcus continued.
"You appeared out of nowhere."
"You stay quiet most of the time."
"And somehow you've become important without trying."
Aria tilted her head slightly.
"That sounds more like an observation than a question."
Marcus smiled.
"Maybe."
For a moment, silence settled between them.
Then Marcus leaned back.
"Just be careful."
Aria's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Careful of what?"
Marcus glanced toward the library window.
"The competition."
A pause.
"People get caught in conflicts they never intended to join."
Aria studied him carefully.
Then she stood.
"Thank you for the warning."
Marcus blinked.
That wasn't the response he expected.
Aria picked up her notebook.
"But I don't think I'm the one who needs it."
With that, she walked away.
Leaving Marcus alone.
For the first time during their conversation—
He frowned.
Because Aria hadn't reacted the way most people did.
She wasn't intimidated.
She wasn't impressed.
And she definitely wasn't easy to read.
As evening approached, Lucien found himself standing near the school gates.
He wasn't waiting for anyone.
At least, that's what he told himself.
Then he saw Aria walking toward the exit.
Their eyes met.
"You're still here?" Aria asked.
"So are you."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"Fair point."
For a moment, neither moved.
Then Lucien noticed the notebook in her hand.
"Library?"
Aria nodded.
"You?"
"Preparation."
She wasn't surprised.
Neither was he.
The silence between them felt comfortable now.
Strange.
But comfortable.
As they walked toward the gate together, neither noticed someone watching from a distance.
Marcus.
His expression remained unreadable.
But one thought lingered in his mind.
The debate wasn't the only thing changing.
And sometimes—
The most dangerous developments happened outside the competition.